JP2018503078A - Clock governor, clock movement, and watch having such a governor - Google Patents

Abstract

The time governor (7) comprises an inertia speed control member (17), which is attached to the support (12-15) by means of an elastic suspension (21), whereby the main translational motion direction. Translational vibration is possible along (X).

Description

  The present invention relates to a time governor, a timepiece movement, and a timepiece having such a speed governor.

  Patent Literature 1 describes a time governor, and this speed governor is attached to a support by an elastic suspension and includes at least one inertial speed control member that can vibrate thereby.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2013176829

  One drawback of this time governor is that the vibration amplitude is limited by the geometry of the governor, the support and the elastic suspension.

  One object of the present invention is to at least alleviate this drawback.

  For this reason, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the speed regulating member is attached to the support so as to vibrate in translation along the main translational movement direction.

  With such an arrangement, there is a greater degree of freedom to vibrate the speed governing member with a higher amplitude compared to the rotary vibrator of Patent Document 1. The present invention can also help to increase the linearity of a mechanical vibrator constructed by a governor mechanism.

  It should be noted that the above-described invention is not limited to a monolithic design, such as the design of the embodiments detailed below.

  In various forms of mechanisms according to the present invention, one and / or other of the following means may be further used.

The speed governing member is attached to the support so as to translate substantially linearly;

The speed governing member is attached to the support for circular translational vibration having a first vibration amplitude in the main translation direction and a non-zero second vibration amplitude in a second direction perpendicular to the main translation direction; The first amplitude is larger than the second amplitude.

The first vibration amplitude is at least 10 times greater than the second amplitude;

The suspension has at least two elastic links extending substantially in the second direction;

The time governor comprises two inertial speed-regulating members connected together, so that the speed-controlling member always has a symmetrical and reverse movement in the main translational direction.

The two inertial speed control members are connected to each other by a balance lever, and the balance lever is attached to the support body in a pivotal manner.

The time governor is monolithic and is formed by a single plate;

  Moreover, the present invention relates to a timepiece movement having the timepiece governor described above. The timepiece movement further includes a blocking mechanism controlled by the speed control member, and alternately holds and releases the movable energy supply member at regular intervals, whereby the energy supply member moves stepwise and the blocking is performed. The mechanism is further configured to cause the speed governor to release energy at regular intervals to maintain vibration of the speed governor.

  Furthermore, the present invention likewise relates to a timepiece having the above-described timepiece movement.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of several embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a mechanical timepiece according to the present invention. 1 is a plan view showing a mechanical timepiece having a governor mechanism, a blocking mechanism, and an energy supply vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is detail drawing which shows the prevention mechanism and energy supply vehicle of FIG. FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. 2 in approximately a half cycle of the speed regulating mechanism. FIG. 2b is a view similar to FIG. 2a showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. 2 in approximately a half cycle of the speed regulating mechanism. FIG. 2b is a view similar to FIG. 2a showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. 2 in approximately a half cycle of the speed regulating mechanism. FIG. 2b is a view similar to FIG. 2a showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. 2 in approximately a half cycle of the speed regulating mechanism. FIG. 2b is a view similar to FIG. 2a showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. 2 in approximately a half cycle of the speed regulating mechanism. FIG. 2b is a view similar to FIG. 2a showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. 2 in approximately a half cycle of the speed regulating mechanism. FIG. 2b is a view similar to FIG. 2a showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. 2 in approximately a half cycle of the speed regulating mechanism. FIG. 2b is a view similar to FIG. 2a showing a series of movements of the mechanism of FIG. It is a top view which shows the speed governor mechanism for the mechanical timepiece concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a top view in a stationary position. It is a top view similar to FIG. 10 in an extreme position. It is a top view similar to FIG. 10 in an extreme position. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the timepiece movement which has a governor mechanism of FIG.

  In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a mechanical timepiece 1 such as a wristwatch, for example, at least the following:
The mechanical energy containment body 2;
A transmission device 3 powered by the energy containment body 2;
One or more time display bodies 4 such as clock hands, for example, driven by the transmission device 3;
An energy supply member 5 driven by the transmission 3;
A blocking mechanism 6 having, for example, a blocking member 8, which continuously holds and releases the energy supply member 5, thereby following a repetitive movement cycle that is a constant stroke in each movement cycle A blocking mechanism in which the energy supply member can move in stages;
The governor mechanism 7 is a vibration mechanism that controls the blocking mechanism and moves the blocking mechanism at regular intervals within a time period, so that the holding and releasing sequence of the blocking mechanism has a constant duration; Therefore, a speed governor mechanism that provides the movement tempo of the energy supply vehicle 5, the transmission device 3, and the time display body 4, and
Have

  The energy supply member may be a rotary energy supply vehicle 5. The following description is made with respect to such an energy supply vehicle.

  The mechanical energy storage body 2 is a normal spring such as a spiral spring that is usually called a main spring. This spring can be wound manually via a winding stem and / or automatically via an automatic winding powered by the user's movement.

  The transmission device 3 is usually a gear device including a series of gears (not shown), and these gears mesh with each other to connect the input shaft to the output shaft (not shown). The input shaft is powered by the mechanical energy storage 2 and the output shaft is connected to the energy supply vehicle. Some gears are connected to the clock hands or to other time indicators 4.

  The transmission 3 is designed such that the energy supply vehicle rotates much faster than the input shaft (for example at a speed ratio that can be on the order of 3000).

  The speed governor mechanism 7 is designed to vibrate at a constant frequency, and thus guarantees the accuracy of the timepiece. The vibration of the governor is sustained by periodically transmitting mechanical energy from the energy supply vehicle 5 via, for example, a monostable elastic member 9 that may belong to the blocking mechanism 6.

  The mechanical energy storage body 2, the transmission device 3, the energy supply vehicle 5, the blocking mechanism 6, and the speed governor 7 together form a timepiece movement 10.

  The specific embodiment of FIGS. 2-9 will be described in detail.

  In this embodiment, the blocking mechanism 6 and the governor mechanism 7 are monolithic and can be formed on a single plate 11, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2 a. The plate 11 is substantially flat.

  Depending on the material, the plate 11 can be thin, for example from about 0.1 mm to about 0.6 mm.

  The plate 11 may have a lateral dimension that is about 15 mm to about 40 mm in the plane of the plate (eg, width and length or diameter).

  The plate 11 can be made of any suitable material and preferably has a relatively high Young's modulus and exhibits good elastic properties. Examples of materials that can be used for the plate 11 are silicon, nickel, steel, and titanium. In the case of silicon, the thickness of the plate 11 is, for example, 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm.

  The various members of the blocking mechanism 6 and the governor mechanism 7 are described in detail below, and are formed by forming notches in the plate 11. These notches can be formed by manufacturing methods known in micro-engineering, in particular like the manufacture of MEMS.

  In the case of the silicon plate 11, the plate 11 is locally hollowed, for example by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) or in some cases (especially for prototypes or small scale production) by solid state laser cutting. Can be done.

  In the case of the nickel plate 11, the blocking mechanism 6 and the speed governor mechanism 7 can be obtained, for example, by LIGA.

  In the case of a steel or titanium plate 11, the plate 11 can be locally hollowed out, for example by wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM).

  Each component of the blocking mechanism 6 and the governor mechanism 7 is formed by a portion of the plate 11 and will be described in detail herein. Some of these parts are hard, and others are elastically deformable at the normal bent part. The difference between so-called hard parts and so-called elastic parts is the rigidity of these parts in the plane of the plate 11 due to the shape of these parts, in particular the thinness of these parts. Fineness can be measured, for example, by the aspect ratio (ratio of part length to part width). A part with high thinness has elasticity (ie, it can be elastically deformed), and a part with low thinness is hard. For example, a so-called rigid part may have a stiffness in the plane of the plate 11, which is at least about 1000 times greater in the plane of the plate 11 than a so-called elastic part. For example, the main dimensions of the elastic connecting bodies such as the elastic branches 21 and 33 and the elastic link 27 described later are, for example, a length of 5 mm to 13 mm and, for example, 0.01 mm (10 μm) to 0.04 mm (40 μm), for example, about And a width of 0.025 mm (25 μm).

  The plate 11 forms an outer frame, and the outer frame is fixed to the support plate 11a through a through hole 11b of the plate 11 with, for example, screws. Similarly, the support plate 11a is fixed to the watch housing.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the plate 11 forms a closed rigid frame that entirely surrounds the blocking mechanism 6 and the governor mechanism 7, but this frame can be designed otherwise, in particular, It may be designed not to enclose or completely enclose the blocking mechanism 6 and the governor mechanism 7. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the fixed frame extends in two substantially parallel side portions 12 and 15 extending in the first direction X and in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction X. Two substantially parallel sides 13, 14. The frames 12 to 15, the support plate 11 a, and all other fixed parts may be referred to as “supports” herein.

  The energy supply vehicle 5 is attached to a support body so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis Z perpendicular to the plate 11. The energy supply vehicle 5 is urged by the energy storage body 2 through the transmission device 3 in a single rotation direction 36.

  The energy supply wheel 5 has external teeth 5 a, and each of these external teeth has a front surface 5 b facing the rotation direction 36 and a rear surface 5 c opposite to the rotation direction 36.

  For example, the front surface 5b can extend in a radial plane parallel to the rotation axis Z, while the rear surface 5c can extend parallel to the axis Z and inclined relative to the radial direction (see FIG. 2a).

  It should be noted that the teeth 5a do not have to have the complex shape of a conventional wheelbarrow in a so-called Swiss lever escapement or a so-called Swiss ankle escapement.

The monostable elastic member 9 is connected to the speed governor mechanism 7 and is configured to push the teeth 5 a of the energy supply vehicle 5. The monostable elastic member 9 usually has a first geometric structure (stationary position), and the teeth 5a of the energy supply vehicle move the monostable elastic member 9 from the first geometric structure to the second geometry by a cam effect. It is configured to be elastically deformed into a shape structure. The monostable elastic member 9 is used during each rotation cycle of the energy supply vehicle 5.
One tooth 5a of the energy supply wheel elastically deforms the monostable elastic member 9 from the first geometric structure of the monostable elastic member to the second geometric structure;
The monostable elastic member 9 then elastically returns to the first geometric structure, thereby releasing a predetermined amount of mechanical energy to the governor mechanism 7;
It is configured as such.

  The speed governor mechanism may have a hard inertia speed control member 17, and this inertia speed control member is connected to the frame of the plate 11 by a first elastic suspension 21. The first elastic suspension may include, for example, two flexible first elastic branches 21, which extend from the side portion 12 of the plate 11 substantially in parallel with the second direction Y. Thereby, the speed adjusting member 17 can translate in parallel to the first direction X with respect to the support. The speed control member 17 and the first elastic suspension 21 are configured such that the speed control member 17 vibrates in two directions from the neutral position shown in FIG. 2 between two extreme positions in accordance with a double arrow 17a shown in FIG. In this specification, these limit positions are referred to as “first and second limit speed regulating member positions”.

  The translational motion of the speed governing member 17 can be substantially linear.

  Advantageously, the governing member 17 is attached to the support so as to vibrate in a circular translational motion having a first vibration amplitude in the first direction X and a non-zero second vibration amplitude in the second direction Y. ing. Preferably, the first vibration amplitude is at least 10 times the second amplitude, thereby making the movement substantially linear.

  The speed control member 17 is close to the side 12 of the plate 11 and extends in the longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the first direction X, and from the end of the main body 18 to the side 15 of the plate 11. There may be two branch rigid arms 19 that extend towards their respective free ends 20. The free ends 20 may extend outwardly in opposite directions, substantially parallel to the first direction.

  The first elastic branches 21 are close to the side portions 13 and 14 of the plate 11, respectively, and are connected to the first end portion connected to the side portion 12 of the plate 11 and the free end portion 20 of the arm body 19. A second end. The first elastic branch body 21 may be substantially linear (that is, not bent) when the speed regulating member 17 is stationary at the neutral position.

  The length of the first elastic branch body 21 and the vibration amplitude of the speed control member are such that the motion of the speed control member 17 is substantially linear as described above.

  The blocking mechanism 6 includes the hard blocking member 8 connected to the speed control member 17 by at least the elastic link 27, and thereby moves in synchronization with the speed control member 17.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the blocking member 8 can be connected to the speed control member 17 by two flexible elastic links 27 extending substantially parallel to the second direction Y. The flexible elastic link 27 may be configured to be substantially straight (not bent) when the speed regulating member 17 is in the neutral position.

  The blocking member 8 can be attached to the frame of the plate 11 by the second elastic suspension 33. The second elastic suspension 33 may be configured to impart translational motion to the blocking member 8 in the second direction Y. The second elastic suspension may comprise two flexible second elastic branches 33 that extend substantially parallel to the first direction X, so that the blocking member 8 is In the direction of the double-headed arrow 8a, translational movement is possible substantially parallel to the first direction X. For this reason, the blocking member is movable between the two extreme positions in two directions from the neutral position. In this specification, these extreme positions are referred to as “first and second extreme blocking member positions”. The elastic branch body 33 may be configured to be substantially linear (not bent) when the blocking member 8 is stationary in the neutral position.

In the example shown in FIG.
The hard base 22 extending longitudinally in the first direction X in the vicinity of the main body 18 of the governor 17;
Two branched rigid transverse arms 23, 25 extending separately from the end of the base 22 to the free ends 24, 26 towards the side 15 of the plate 11,
Can have. The free ends 24, 26 may extend outwardly in opposite directions relative to each other substantially parallel to the first direction X.

  The elastic link 27 is adjacent to the end portion of the main body and connected to the first end portion connected to the main body 18 of the speed governing member and the free ends 24 and 26 of the arm bodies 23 and 25. And two ends.

  Moreover, the free end portion 26 of the lateral arm 25 can be extended in the first direction X toward the other lateral arm 23 by the first short-side hard arm 30. Similarly, the transverse arm 25 can be extended in the first direction by the second rigid short arm 28 toward the other transverse arm 23, and the second rigid transverse arm Proximity to the base 22. The energy supply vehicle 5 is located between the first and second short direction arm bodies 30 and 28.

  The free ends of the first and second short direction arm bodies 30, 28 may have first and second stop members 29a, 29b, respectively. The first and second stop members 29a, 29b may be in the form of hard fingers that protrude in the second direction Y from the free ends of the first and second short direction arm bodies 30, 28 toward each other.

  The first and second stop members 29a, 29b are designed to cooperate with the teeth 5a of the energy supply wheel 5, as will be described in detail below, and hold and release the energy supply wheel 5 alternately. To do. Each of the first and second stop members 29a and 29b may have stop surfaces 29a1 and 29b1 facing the front surface 5b of the teeth and rear surfaces 29a2 and 29b2 on the opposite side. The stop surfaces 29a1, 29b1 can preferably be arranged in a radial plane parallel to the axis Z, while the rear surfaces 29a2, 29b2 can extend at an angle so that the stop members 29a, 29b are pointed. Has a shape.

  The blocking member 8 may further include a reinforcing body 25 a that extends in the second direction and couples the lateral arm body 25 to the first short arm 30.

  The blocking member 8 can further include a tab 31 that extends in the second direction from the lateral arm 30 toward the side 15 of the plate 11.

  The free end 26 and the first short-side arm 30 can be received with a little play in the notch 26a in which the side 15 of the plate 11 is cut out. Also, the tab 31 can be received in a further notch 31a with the side 15 of the plate 11 cut away.

  The plate 11 further has a hard tongue 16 extending in the second direction from the side 15 to the side 12 of the plate 11 between the energy supply wheel 5 and the lateral arm 23 of the blocking member 8. Can do. The tongue body 16 may have a first edge 16a, which faces the energy supply wheel 5 and extends parallel to the second direction. The first edge portion 16a may have a concave circular notch 16b, and the circular notch partially receives the energy supply vehicle 5. The tongue body 16 further has a second edge portion 16c on the side opposite to the first edge portion and facing the lateral arm body 23. The second edge portion 16 c can be inclined parallel to the lateral arm body 23 and can be close to the vicinity of the lateral arm body 23.

  One second elastic branch body 33 is connected to the first edge 16 a of the tongue body 16, a first end portion close to the side portion 15 of the plate 11, a second end portion connected to the tab 31, and Can have. The other second elastic branch body 33 includes a first end portion connected to the first edge portion 16a of the tongue body 16 in the vicinity of the free end portion of the tongue body 16, and a lateral arm body in the vicinity of the base portion 22. 25, and a second end connected to 25.

  The blocking member 8 can be connected to the monostable elastic member 9. In particular, the monostable elastic member can be a flexible tongue 9, which is connected to the blocking member 8 (and thus to the governor mechanism 7 via the flexible link 27). A first end connected) and a second free end pushing the tooth 5a of the energy supply wheel 5; The main dimensions of the flexible tongue 9 have a length of eg 3 mm to 5 mm and a width of eg 0.01 mm (10 μm) to 0.04 mm (40 μm), eg 0.025 mm (25 μm). .

  The flexible tongue 9 can be attached to the blocking member 8 adjacent to the second stop member 29b. In particular, the flexible tongue may be connected to the lateral arm 25 of the blocking member 8 in proximity to the short arm 28. The flexible tongue 9 can extend substantially parallel to the first direction to the free end between the short-side arm 28 and the energy supply wheel 5, and this free end is connected to the second stop member 29b. Proximity to.

  The flexible tongue 9 and the blocking member 8 are two separate members, so that the mechanism comprises the blocking / release function of the supply wheel 5 (provided by the blocking member 8) and the (flexible tongue). Providing the separation between the energy (provided by the body 9) from the governor mechanism and maintaining the vibration of the governor mechanism. Due to this functional separation, the design of the blocking member 8 does not need to take into account the function of energy transfer (as in the case of a Swiss ankle escapement that handles both blocking and energy transfer functions), and the flexible tongue 9 The design need not take into account the blocking / release function of the supply vehicle 5.

  During operation, the speed control member translates in parallel with the first direction X at a frequency f of, for example, 20 Hz to 30 Hz, and the blocking member 8 vibrates at a frequency 2f that is twice the vibration frequency of the speed control member 17. .

More precisely, the elastic link 27 is
The blocking member 8 is moved by the elastic link 27 (to the side 15) to the second extreme blocking member position when the governing member 17 is in the neutral position;
The blocking member 8 is moved to the first limit blocking member position by the elastic link 27 (towards the side 12) when the speed control member 17 is in either the first or second limit speed member position; The
It is configured as such.

  During this movement, the first and second stop members 29a, 29b move in a substantially radial direction with respect to the energy supply vehicle 5 so as to alternately go to the energy supply vehicle and away from the energy supply vehicle, For this reason, the first and second stop members 29a, 29b are alternately obstructing the teeth 5a of the energy supply vehicle 5, and thereby when the blocking member 8 is in the first and second limit blocking member positions, The energy supply vehicle 5 is held separately.

More precisely, the first stop member 29a is
The blocking member moves between a first limit blocking member position (close to the side 12) and a first escape position (a position where the apex of the first stop member 29a coincides with the outer diameter of the tooth 5a); Hold the energy supply vehicle 5
The energy supply vehicle 5 is not blocked when the blocking member 8 is between the first escape position and the second extreme blocking member position (close to the side 15);
It is configured as such.

In addition, the second stop member 29b is
The blocking member moves between the second extreme blocking member position (close to the side 15) and the second escape position (a position where the apex of the second stop member 29b coincides with the outer diameter of the tooth 5a) Hold the energy supply vehicle 5
The energy supply vehicle 5 is not blocked when the blocking member 8 is between the second escape position and the first extreme blocking member position (close to the side 12);
It is configured as such.

Furthermore, the second escape position of the blocking member 8 can be between the first extreme blocking member position (close to the side 12) and the first escape position. In this case, the first and second stop members 29a, 29b are advantageously
When the blocking member 8 is in the first retracted position and the first stop member 29a coincides with the front surface 5b of the tooth 5a, the second stop member 29b is one of the two other teeth 5a of the energy supply vehicle; Between these two other teeth in the vicinity of one rear surface 5c of
When the blocking member 8 is in the second escape position and the second stop member 29b coincides with the front surface 5b of the tooth 5a, the first stop member 29a is one of the two other teeth 5a of the energy supply vehicle In the vicinity of one of the rear surfaces 5c, between these two other teeth,
It is configured as such.

  When the blocking member 8 is between the first escape position and the second limit blocking member position, the flexible tongue 9 has the teeth 5a of the energy supply wheel 5 while the energy supply wheel 5 is rotating. The monostable elastic member 9 may be configured to elastically deform from the first geometric structure to the second geometric structure. For this reason, the flexible tongue 9 has a predetermined potential mechanical energy corresponding to the geometric deformation of the flexible tongue between the predetermined first geometric structure and the predetermined second geometric structure. accumulate. This predetermined energy is the same in each rotation cycle of the energy supply vehicle 5.

  The flexible tongue 9 can be configured such that when the blocking member 8 is in the second extreme blocking member position, the flexible tongue 9 is in the second geometric configuration. For this reason, the flexible tongue 9 returns to the first geometric structure, and the predetermined amount of mechanical energy is applied while the blocking member 8 moves from the second limit blocking member position to the second escape position. Transmit to the blocking member 8. The elastic link 27 is configured to transmit the predetermined amount of mechanical energy to the speed governing member 17.

  Further, the flexible tongue 9 is disposed on the energy supply vehicle while the blocking member 8 moves from the second escape position to the first limit blocking member position and from the first limit blocking member position to the first escape position. It may be configured not to block the fifth tooth 5a.

  Preferably, the transmission device 3 is configured to complete each rotation step of the energy supply vehicle 5 within a time that is equal to or shorter than a time during which the blocking member 8 travels from the first escape position to the second limit blocking member position.

  The operation of the mechanism will now be described step by step with respect to FIGS. 3, 3a to 9 and 9a.

3 and 3a,
The speed governing member 17 moves towards the side 14 in the direction of the arrow 34, close to the second ultimate speed governing member position,
The blocking member 8 moves toward the side 12 in the direction of the arrow 35 and is close to the first limit blocking member position, thereby holding the energy supply vehicle 5 with the first stop member 29a;
-The second stop member 29b does not block the energy supply vehicle 5,
The flexible tongue 9 is in the first geometric position (stationary position);

For better understanding, some teeth 5a in FIGS. 3a to 9a have been given reference numerals. The situation of these teeth is as follows in the position of FIG.
The tooth 5a ₁ is a tooth held by the first stop member 29a;
The tooth 5a ₂ is the next tooth that moves toward the first stop member 29a in the rotational direction in the next rotation step of the energy supply vehicle 5,
The teeth 5a ₃ and 5a ₄ are located separately in the direction of rotation of the energy supply wheel 5 beyond the second stop member and in front of the second stop member,
The tooth 5a ₅ is the next tooth and moves toward the second stop member 29b after the tooth 5a _{4 in} the rotational direction of the energy supply wheel 5.

The mechanism then reaches the position of FIGS. 4 and 4a, where
The governing member 17 reaches the second ultimate governing member position;
The blocking member 8 reaches the first limit blocking member position and still holds the energy supply vehicle 5 with the first stop member 29a;
The flexible tongue 9 is still in the first geometric position (stationary position).

Thereafter, the speed control member 17 and the blocking member 8 change their direction of movement, and the mechanism reaches the position of FIGS. 5 and 5a, where
The speed governing member 17 moves towards the side 13 in the direction of the arrow 37 and arrives close to the neutral position;
The blocking member 8 moves towards the side 15 in the direction of the arrow 38 and reaches the first escape position, at which the energy supply vehicle 5 is released from the first stop member 29a. , Rotate one angular direction step in the direction of arrow 36,
The second stop member 29b is already between the two teeth 5a of the energy supply wheel 5 and is close to the rear face 5c of one of these teeth 5a;
The flexible tongue 9 begins to bend by the teeth 5a ₅ of the energy supply wheel 5;

Then, the energy supply vehicle 5 quickly rotates by one angular step, and the mechanism reaches the position of FIGS. 6 and 6a, where
The governing member 17 still moves towards the side 13 in the direction of the arrow 37, still close to the neutral position,
The blocking member 8 is close to the second blocking member and has already moved towards the side 12 in the direction of the arrow 35;
- first stop member 29a is not blocked energy supply wheel 5, positioned at an angle direction between the teeth 5a ₁ and 5a _2,
- second stop member 29b holds the energy supply vehicle 5 by abutting the front surface of the tooth 5a _4,
The flexible tongue 9 is in the second geometric structure, bent to the maximum by the teeth 5a ₅ and starting to return progressively to the first geometric structure, while the blocking member 8 and the adjustment member 9 The energy of the tongue is released to the speed member 17.

The mechanism then reaches the position of FIGS. 7 and 7a, where
The governing member 17 still moves towards the side 13 in the direction of the arrow 37;
The blocking member 8 still moves towards the side 12 in the direction of the arrow 35;
- first stop member 29a is already in between teeth 5a ₁ and 5a ₂ of the energy supply vehicle 5, close to the surface 5c after tooth 5a _1,
The flexible tongue 9 has released the energy of the tongue and has returned to the first (non-bent) geometric structure.

The mechanism then reaches the position of FIGS. 8 and 8a, where
The governing member 17 still moves towards the side 13 in the direction of the arrow 37;
The blocking member 8 is still moving towards the side part 12 in the direction of the arrow 35 and has reached the second escape position, at which the energy supply vehicle 5 is the second stop member Released from 29b and rotated by one angular step in the direction of arrow 36,
- first stop member 29a is located still between teeth 5a ₁ and 5a ₂ of the energy supply vehicle 5, close to the surface 5c after tooth 5a _1,
The flexible tongue 9 is in a first geometric structure (not bent);

After the energy supply vehicle has rotated one angular step, the mechanism then reaches the position of FIGS. 9 and 9a, where
The governing member 17 is still moving towards the side 13 in the direction of the arrow 37, close to the first limiting member position,
The blocking member 8 is still moving towards the side 12 in the direction of the arrow 35 and has reached close to the first limit blocking member position;
The energy supply vehicle 5 is held by the first stop member 29a,
The flexible tongue 9 is in a first geometric structure (not bent);

  The governing member 17 and blocking member 8 then change direction and cause the same steps until the mechanism returns to the position of FIGS. 3 and 3a, after which the cycle repeats.

  For this reason, the movement cycle of the energy supply vehicle 5 has a rotation of two angular steps, each angular step being equal to half the angular extent of one tooth 5a. In the example of FIGS. 2 to 9, the energy supply vehicle 5 has 21 teeth 5a, so that the angular step is α = 360 ° / (21 × 2) = 8.57 °. . It should be noted that each motion cycle of the energy supply vehicle 5 is completed during half of the vibration cycle of the speed governor 17, so that the motion frequency of the energy supply vehicle 5 is equal to the vibration frequency of the speed governor mechanism 7. It is 4 times that. For this reason, when the frequency f of the governor mechanism 7 is 30 Hz, the frequency of the blocking member 8 is 2f = 60 Hz, and the motion frequency of the energy supply vehicle 5 is 4f = 120 Hz.

  Here, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The description of FIG. 1 still applies to this second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the speed governor mechanism 7 has a single structure and can be formed on a single plate 111. The plate 111 is substantially flat and extends parallel to the two vertical directions X and Y.

  Depending on the material, the plate 111 can be as thin as, for example, about 0.1 mm to about 0.6 mm.

  The plate 111 may have a lateral dimension that is about 15 mm to about 40 mm in the plane of the plate (eg, width and length or diameter).

  The plate 111 can be made of any suitable material, and preferably has a relatively high Young's modulus and exhibits good elastic properties. Examples of materials that can be used for the plate 111 are silicon, nickel, steel, and titanium. In the case of silicon, the thickness of the plate 111 is, for example, 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm.

  Various members of the governor mechanism 7 are described in detail below, and are formed by forming notches in the plate 111. These notches can be formed by manufacturing methods known in micro-engineering, in particular like the manufacture of MEMS.

  In the case of the silicon plate 111, the plate 111 is locally hollowed, for example by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) or in some cases (especially for prototypes or small-scale production) by solid-state laser cutting. Can be done.

  In the case of the nickel plate 111, the governor mechanism 7 can be obtained by LIGA, for example.

  In the case of a steel or titanium plate 111, the plate 111 can be locally hollowed out, for example by wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM).

  The components of the governor mechanism 7 are formed by portions of the plate 11 and will be described in detail here. Some of these parts are hard, and others are elastically deformable at the normal bent part. The difference between so-called hard parts and so-called elastic parts is the rigidity of these parts in the plane of the plate 111 due to their shape, in particular due to their thinness. Fineness can be measured, for example, by the aspect ratio (ratio of part length to part width). A part with high thinness has elasticity (ie, it can be elastically deformed), and a part with low thinness is hard. For example, a so-called rigid part may have a stiffness in the plane of the plate 111, which is at least about 1000 times greater in the plane of the plate 111 than a so-called elastic part. For example, the main dimensions of the elastic connecting body such as the elastic branch bodies 143, 145, and 147 described later are, for example, a length of 5 mm to 13 mm and a length of 0.01 mm (10 μm) to 0.04 mm (40 μm), for example, about 0.1 mm. And a width of 025 mm (25 μm).

  The plate 111 forms an outer frame body 112, and this outer frame body is fixed to the support plate 111a through a through hole 111b of the plate 111, for example, with a screw or the like. Similarly, the support plate 111a is fixed to the watch casing.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, the plate 111 forms a closed rigid frame 112 that generally surrounds the governor mechanism 7, but this frame can be designed otherwise, in particular the blocking mechanism 6. And it may be designed not to enclose or completely enclose the governor mechanism 7.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the frame body 112 may be, for example, a circular ring having two hard support arm bodies 113, and these hard support arm bodies extend inward from the periphery of the frame body 112. The two support arm bodies 113 are shifted in the second direction Y, and extend in parallel to the first direction X in the opposite direction.

  The frame 112, the support plate 111a, and all other fixed parts may be referred to herein as “supports”.

  The speed governor mechanism 7 may have two hard inertia speed control members 117, and these speed control members are individually connected to the frame body 112 by elastic suspensions 121. The elastic suspension 121 of each of the speed control members 117 may include, for example, two elastic links 121, and these elastic links extend from one of the support arm bodies 113 substantially in parallel with the second direction Y, thereby controlling the speed control The member 117 is capable of translational movement substantially parallel to the first direction X with respect to the support.

  Each of the speed control member 117 and the elastic suspension 121 is moved from the neutral position shown in FIG. 10 to the two extreme positions separately shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 by the arrows 117a and 117b shown in FIGS. Accordingly, it is configured to vibrate in two directions.

  The translational motion of the speed governing member 117 can be substantially linear.

  Advantageously, each speed regulating member 117 has a first vibration amplitude in the first direction and a non-zero second vibration amplitude in the second direction Y and is attached to the support for circular translation. It has been. Preferably, the first vibration amplitude is at least 10 times the second amplitude, thereby making the movement substantially linear.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 10, each of the speed control members 117 may be located between one of the support arm bodies 113 and the periphery of the frame body 112.

  Each of the speed control members 117 may have a main rigid body 141 extending in the longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the first direction X. The main rigid body is connected to the corresponding support arm body 113 from the end of the main body 141. It is stretched by two branching rigid transverse arms 142 that extend towards it. The main body 141 may be substantially triangular and is formed with a lateral arm 142, and the two substantially V-shaped notches 140 open toward the corresponding support arm 113. . Corresponding support arm 113 may similarly have two generally V-shaped notches 114 and may have two generally V-shaped notches 114 aligned with notches 140 in governor 117. .

  Here, the elastic link 121 may be an elaborate elastic structure, but the present invention is not limited to such an elaborate structure.

  In the example of FIG. 10, each elastic link 121 may have a hard link arm 146 that is connected to the corresponding support arm 113 by two elastic branches 145 and two other links. The elastic branch body 147 is connected to the speed control member 117. Each rigid link arm 146 may extend longitudinally in the second direction Y at a corresponding notch 140, 144.

  For example, each rigid link arm can be shaped as a rhombus extending longitudinally in the second direction Y between two vertices (not labeled), which vertices are the vertices of notches 114, 140 In close proximity to the two intermediate rigid bodies 144 located at. Each of the intermediate rigid bodies 144 can be elastically supported by two branch elastic branches 143, and these branch elastic branches are arranged in parallel with the edges of the notches 114 and 140. The elastic branch body 143 on the side of the speed control member 117 is connected to the speed control member 117 in the vicinity of the opening of the corresponding notch 140, and the elastic branch body 143 on the side of the support arm body 113. Are connected to the support arm 113 in the vicinity of the mouth of the corresponding notch 114. Similarly, each of the link arm bodies 146 has two vertices 146a aligned in the first direction X. The apex 146a is individually connected to the intermediate rigid body 144 by two elastic branches 145 on the side of the support arm 113 and two elastic branches 147 on the side of the speed control member 117. Yes. The elastic branch bodies 143 and 147 extend along the edge of the link arm body 146.

  For this reason, the elastic link 121 extends in the second direction Y.

  The speed regulating member 117 is connected together by means of balancing levers 160, 162, which are designed such that the speed regulating member 117 always has a symmetrical movement in the opposite direction, whereby The center of gravity of the assembly formed by the member 117 and the balance levers 160, 162 is maintained at a fixed position, for example, substantially coincident with the axis Z perpendicular to the first and second directions X, Y. This balance makes the mechanism less sensitive to impact, acceleration or gravity applied parallel to the first direction.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the balance levers 160 and 162 are formed as an arc centered on the axis Z and disposed inside the frame body 112, and two arcuate levers 160 and two arcuate levers. A rigid intermediate lever 162 connecting 160 and extending substantially radially with respect to the axis Z.

  Each arcuate lever 160 may extend between two ends formed as elbows 150, 161, which are arranged approximately radially with respect to the axis Z in the second direction Y and the first direction X, respectively. It is installed. Each elbow 150 can be connected to one of the speed regulating members 117 by a joint 148, and each elbow 161 can be connected to the intermediate lever 162 by any means, for example, by an elastic branch 163, for example, by an elastic connection. . The intermediate lever 161 can be connected to the frame body 112 by the joint body 154, for example, to one of the support arm bodies 113, and this joint body can rotate the balance levers 160 and 162 around the axis Z. It can be so.

  In the example of FIG. 10, each joint 148 can have an intermediate rigid body 149, which has V-shaped notches 151 on two sides. Each shoulder 150 of the arcuate lever 160 enters one notch 151, while the corresponding protrusion 141 a of the speed adjusting member 117 enters the other notch 151. Each of the free ends of the elbow 150 and the protrusion 141 a can be connected to the intermediate body 149 by an elastic branch 152 at the mouth of the V-shaped notch 151.

  The joint body 154 may be similarly formed and may have an intermediate rigid body 156 having a V-shaped cutout 157 into which the protrusion 155 of one support arm body 113 enters. The free end of the protrusion 155 can be connected to the intermediate body 156 by an elastic branch 158 at the mouth of the V-shaped notch 157. The intermediate body 156 can likewise be connected to the center of the intermediate lever 162 by an elastic branch 159.

  The elastic branches 152, 158, 159, 163 may have the same width as the elastic branches 143, 145, 147.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the translational vibration of the speed adjusting member 117 is converted into a rotational motion about the axis X by the balance levers 160 and 162.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 13, the speed governor 7 is incorporated in a blocking mechanism 6 in the form of a conventional escapement mechanism, for example a so-called Swiss lever escapement or Swiss ankle escapement. obtain. By way of example only, the balancing levers 161, 162 may be connected to a fixture 223 that supports an impulse roller 224 that cooperates with the Swiss ankle 225, which itself is an energy supply vehicle in the form of a wooden wheel. Work with 5. The wooden cart 5 is connected to a pinion 226 that meshes with one of the pinions of the transmission device 3. Both the wooden wheel 5 and the pinion 226 rotate around a rotation axis Z ′ parallel to the axis Z (fixed to the support plate 111a), and the Swiss ankle 225 (also fixed to the support plate 111a). Rotating around the rotation axis Z ″ in alternating motion. These blocking structures and operations are well known in the field of watchmaking and will not be described in detail. Other blocking mechanisms 6 and energy supply vehicles 5 are also included. Is possible.

5 energy supply member, rotary energy supply vehicle, wood car, 6 blocking mechanism, 7 clock governor, governor mechanism, 10 clock movement, 11, 111 single plate, 12-15 support, frame, side Part, 17, 117 inertia speed control member, 21, 121 elastic suspension, elastic link, first elastic branch body, 112 support body, outer frame body, 160 balancing lever, rigid arcuate lever, 162 balancing lever, rigid intermediate Lever, X main translation direction, Y second direction

Claims (11)

With a time governor (7) comprising at least one inertial speed-regulating member (17; 117) which is attached to a support (12-15; 112) by an elastic suspension (21; 121) and can thereby vibrate There,
The time governor, wherein the speed governing member (17; 117) is attached to the support so as to vibrate in translation along the main translational motion direction (X).   The time governor according to claim 1, wherein the speed governing member (17; 117) is attached to the support (12-15; 112) so as to vibrate in a substantially linear translational manner. . The speed control member (17; 117) is configured to have a first amplitude of vibration in the main translational movement direction (X) and a non-zero first vibration in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the main translational movement direction (X). Attached to the support (12-15; 112) for circular translational vibration with two amplitudes;
The time governor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first amplitude is larger than the second amplitude.   The time governor according to claim 3, wherein the first amplitude of the vibration is at least 10 times greater than the second amplitude.   5. The time governor according to claim 3, wherein the suspension has at least two elastic links (21; 121) extending substantially in the second direction (Y).   Two inertial speed-regulating members (117) connected together, so that the speed-regulating member (117) always has a symmetrical and reverse motion in the main translational motion direction (X). The timepiece governor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that:   The two inertia adjusting members (117) are connected to each other by a balance lever (160, 162), and the balance lever is pivotally attached to the support (112). The timepiece governor according to claim 6.   8. The time governor according to claim 1, wherein the time governor has a single structure and is formed by a single plate (11; 111).   A timepiece movement (10) comprising the timepiece governor (7) according to any one of the preceding claims. A blocking mechanism (6) controlled by the speed control member (17; 117) is further provided, and the movable energy supply member (5) is alternately held and released at regular intervals, whereby the energy supply member ( 5) move in stages,
The blocking mechanism (6) is further configured to cause the speed control member (17; 117) to release energy at regular intervals in order to maintain the vibration of the speed control member. 9. A watch movement according to 9.   A timepiece having the timepiece movement (10) according to claim 9 or 10.

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